South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

 

A talk by author Catherine Simpson.

Come and meet award-winning writer Catherine Simpson who will be discussing her new memoir, Hold Fast: Motherhood, My Autistic Daughter and Me.

Hear about Catherine’s experience of mothering an autistic child - Nina (now adult) - in a world not always accepting of difference.

From the start, Catherine realised the world wasn’t quite Nina-shaped. From Nina’s diagnosis at aged ten both Catherine and Nina had to contend with school bullies, dismissive doctors, and insensitive peers. While Nina remained resolutely herself, Catherine adapted. Mothering an autistic child lit a fierce determination and underlined the power of unconditional love.

Catherine’s discussion will be empowering, honest, candid, demystifying and relatable.

Catherine has written two other memoirs, When I Had a Little Sister about the death by suicide of her sister, Tricia, and One Body about growing up in a woman's body told around her year with breast cancer. Her next memoir Sandwiched: Caring Up and Caring Down will be published in September 2026. She has also written a novel Truestory about a mother struggling to raise her autistic son.

Available to book online or by calling East Kilbride Arts Centre on 01355 261000.

Cost: Free

 

This musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book will delight audiences young and old with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family.

Gertie is great at being THE LITTLEST YAK, with the CURLIEST, WHIRLIEST wool and the GRIPPIEST of hooves for clip-clopping up cliffs. Only, Gertie doesn’t want to be the littlest. She’s in a rush to grow up and be just like THE BIG YAKS. But what if there are some things that only a GERTIE can do?

A gorgeous story celebrating YOU being perfect…just the way you are!

LAStheatre brings The Littlest Yak to the stage in spectacular fashion. Join them for a dazzling adventure, into the heart of the Himalayas.

Nominated for a YAKTASTIC 4 OffWestEnd Awards!

Available to book online or by calling Lanark Memorial Hall on 01555 673199.

Cost: £14.00 / £50.00 family (x4) (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)